SBC Inks $400M IPTV Deal with Microsoft

SBC Communications has signed a $400 million 10-year deal to deploy Microsoft's IPTV software in the set-tops it will deploy as part of its fiber buildout. Microsoft's software will offer instant channel changing, customizable channel lineups, VOD, DVR, interactive program guides (IPG), event notifications, etc. Test

SBC Communications has signed a $400 million 10-year deal to deploy Microsoft's IPTV software in the set-tops it will deploy as part of its fiber buildout.

Microsoft's software will offer instant channel changing, customizable channel lineups, VOD, DVR, interactive program guides (IPG), event notifications, etc. Testing of the IP-based television service--built on the Microsoft platform--began in June. Field trials will begin in mid 2005 and later in the year, commercial availability of the IP-based TV platform will be in the planning stages.

Also, during early 2005, the San Antonio, Texas-based telecom expects to begin construction on its estimated $5 billion Project Lightspeed that will offer IP-based services such as IP television, VoIP and Internet broadband. By the end of 2007, Project Lightspeed expects to reach 18 million households.

Microsoft TV IPTV Edition also provides a security system that includes subscriber digital rights management technology to protect content across devices.

SBC Communications has appointed several executives to its new IP-based video, voice and Internet access program, Project Lightspeed. The $4 billion project is designed to deploy fiber-based technologies to 18 million households across 13 states by 2007. The company plans to offer the first set of products under t

Philips and Microsoft have inked a nonexclusive deal that would enable users to share content between Windows-based PCs and Philips Nexperia line of semiconductors. Philips plans to support Microsoft Windows Media audio and video and Windows Media Digital Rights Manager (DRM) 10 technology in its Nexperia lin

SBC Communications says it plans to invest $4-6 billion over the next three years to build an advanced, IP-based network to deliver voice, video and data services to its more than 18 million U.S. subscribers. Network lab and field trials are underway for "Project Lightspeed" and construction is expected to begin in ea